BINFIELD F C NEWS

Moles Finish On A High Note - 6 April

Binfield completed their Uhlsport Hellenic League fixtures on a high note, winning 2-1 at Oxford City Nomads on Wednesday thanks to second-half goals from Liam Ferdinand and Harry Lee.

That took Ferdinand's tally for the season to an impressive 41 goals from 39 appearances. Last Saturday, he had batted four goals as Binfield hammered bottom club Henley Town 9-0 in their final home game. And the Moles would have won even more easily but for some fine saves from keeper Garry Aulsberry on his return to his former club.

Manager Roger Herridge said: “You can only beat what's put in front of you, but as the scoreline suggests, it was a comfortable afternoon for us.”

Both clubs fielded depleted sides with Binfield only able to name 13 players, with Michael Walton, Alex Walton, Luke Hayden, Alex Luis and Gary Smith all unable to play. Four of the replacements came in from the under-18 team, including Harry Lee for his debut at left-back. Liam Whyte was given a midfield role and in the 38th minute they were joined by substitute Owen Powell after Sean Moore had limped off.

Binfield struggled to find a good rhythm in the first half, but still managed to take a 2-0 lead with Brad Pagliaroli netting after seven minutes and Ferdinand opening his account in the 27th minute. Aulsberry denied his former side on several occasions and the Moles also twice struck the post. Henley were given a chance to pull a goal back when they were awarded a penalty, but the spot-kick struck the crossbar.

Youngsters Powell and Lee were given orders to push up more in the second half and, with the whole team sharpening up their passing, the Moles became unstoppable. “We looked capable of scoring every time we went forward,” commented Herridge.

Ferdinand netted in the 54th, 60th and 83rd minutes and his four-goal haul lifted his season's haul to 40 in 38 games, leaving him fourth in the league's scorers' list. Jake White found the net in the 63rd and 81st minutes, his first goals for the club. Skipper James Knight struck just before the hour mark with Pagliaroli scoring his second of the afternoon on 69 minutes. Calum Brighton, another of the club's youngsters, looked lively when he came off the bench for the last 25 minutes.

Binfield, who finish eighth in the table, play Bracknell Town in the final of the Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy at Windsor FC next Tuesday (7.30pm ko). They will start as underdogs, having already lost both league games and two cup ties to their neighbours this season.

"We've just got to try to find a way to beat them," said Herridge, who is unlikely to have a full-strength squad to choose from. "I think we may have to field quite a young side."

Harsh ? - 23 March

Binfield manager Roger Herridge thought that a 3-0 defeat at Thatcham on Saturday was a harsh scoreline, but admitted that the Kingfishers did show "that little bit extra."

"Thirty minutes into the game, with the wind in our faces, we looked comfortable and could have led with James Knight and Grant Kemp both having one on ones with the keeper Chris Rackley."

The Moles fell behind in the 38th minute when they were slow to react to a quickly-taken Thatcham free-kick and allowed Shane Cooper-Clark to nip in behind and score. Binfield's defence were again caught out a minute before the interval. Three defenders were close in proximity to Sam Collier at the far post, but they still allowed him to get in a header from a deep cross from the Thatcham right.

Herridge commented: "Even at half-time I still thought we could get back into the game as we had the wind in our favour in the second half. But despite a lot of huffing and puffing, we didn't really trouble Rackley in their goal."

The Moles fell further behind on 77 minutes when keeper Mo Nyamunga dropped a cross under pressure to leave Josh Helmore with an easy chance.

Herridge added: "It was never a 3-0 game overall, but Thatcham certainly deserved to win the game."

Senior Cup Semi Finalist - 16 March

Binfield are through to the semi-finals of the Reading Invitation Senior Cup after defeating Uhlsport Hellenic League rivals Ascot United 5-1 after extra time at Hill Farm Lane.

The Yellamen shaded the first half before taking a 55th-minute lead through Kai Walters, only for Grant Kemp to equalise within two minutes. Binfield had the better chances to win the tie in normal time, but needed the extra 30 minutes to put the game to bed. Liam Ferdinand made it 2-1 in the 102nd minute although Ascot claimed there was a handball along the way, and a minute later Harrison Bayley lobbed home the third goal. Ferdinand scored again after 110 minutes, his 35th goal of the campaign, and then set up the fifth goal for substitute Mo Davies shortly before the end.

In the semi-finals, Binfield will meet either Finchampstead or Woodcote Stoke Row. On paper, it could be another Binfield or Bracknell final to follow their clash in the Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy. But Moles boss Roger Herridge is taking nothing for granted, saying: “I would not write off Woodcote Stoke Row, but I suppose on paper we are expecting to play Finchampstead and that won't be easy. If Finchampstead can get all their players out on the same day, it will be a very tough game for us.”

Binfield, beaten only once in their last eight games and lying eighth in the table, visit the fourth club, Thatcham, this Saturday. The Kingfishers' manager, Danny Robinson, was at the Binfield game last Tuesday, but it is doubtful if he will have learned much, especially as the Moles were missing several players.

Could Be Better - 3 March

Binfield secured a home Reading Senior Cup quarter-final tie with Uhlsport Hellenic League rivals Ascot United after winning 2-1 at Holyport on Tuesday.

But manager Roger Herridge (pictured) admitted they will need to play a lot better if they are to make further progress in the competition which holds its final at Reading FC's Madejski Stadium.

The Moles took a second-minute lead through Liam Ferdinand, who 14 minutes later set up the second for Harrison Bayley, his first for the club since joining them from Highmoor Ibis. But Binfield went on to squander several chances in this second-round tie before seeing Jonny Feaver pull one back in the 68th minute with the Division 1 East side playing a lot better than they had in the first half.

“The game should have been dead and buried by early in the second half,” said Herridge to Dave Wright. “We then made an error and they nipped in to score and we became a bit anxious, but I never thought we were going to lose.”

Herridge was frustrated by his side's general performance but felt there was no need to have a go at his players in the dressing room, saying: “I am sure they worked it out for themselves they were poor. But at the end of the day, cup football is all about winning. We did that and we are in the next round against Ascot, but we will need to play better than we did tonight if we are to make further progress.”

Binfield were missing several players, including skipper Alex Luis and Sean Moore, due to injury and it looked as if Jake White was going to join them on the sidelines when he limped off with a knee injury.

But it doesn't appear as serious as first feared and he is hoping to be fit for Binfield's league game with relegation-threatened Henley Town at Hill Farm Lane on Monday evening (7.45pm ko).

White's replacement on a wet and windy night at Holyport was Owen Powell, who plays centre-back for the club's Allied Counties side. Herridge commented: “He's been with the first team a few times without getting on, so I was pleased to put him on tonight. He did well and that was a positive. But overall, this was not an enjoyable game to watch.”

No Turning! - 23 February

Binfield manager Roger Herridge told his defenders before Monday's Uhlsport Hellenic League game with Bracknell not to allow TJ Bohane to turn when he had ball in their area. And they followed his instructions when Carl Davies headed down Jamie McClurg's left-wing corner to the striker just outside the far post.

But Bohane didn't need to turn, as he cheekily back-heeled the ball into the net for the only goal of the match in the 13th minute. “It was a good piece of improvisation from TJ, but it was still a poor goal for us to concede,” conceded Herridge, who felt it was one of the small margins that separated the two local rivals in a game that attracted a crowd of just under 300.

The Moles boss added: “They (Bracknell) are a very good side and we just lacked that little bit of quality which we needed. They had a little bit more nous, a bit more experience and a bit more know-how right across the pitch. But we worked hard and we could maybe have nicked something if our decision-making in the final third had been a bit better. We had a good chance when Ferdy (Liam Ferdinand) went through. More often than not, he takes those sort of chances, but tonight it's just gone the other side of the post.”

With Jamie McClurg and ex-Binfield stalwart Carl Withers outstanding, the Robins generally had the better of the play in midfield, where the Moles missed the driving force of Jack Broome. With Alex Walton delayed at work, Herridge was forced to switch Broome to right-back. But Broome had to watch his step after picking up a third-minute booking for a foul on Seb Bowerman. Bracknell, having won 3-2 at home, were completing a league double over Binfield and the two sides still have to meet twice more - the Bluefin Sport Hellenic League Cup quarter-finals and the for their Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy final.

On Saturday, Broome had played the last 20 minutes of the game against Royal Wootton Bassett in goal after Mo Nyamunga had been forced off with a calf injury. The seventh-placed Moles won 3-1 thanks to strikes from Jon Bennett after 10 minutes, Ferdinand on 55 and Luke Hayden just before the end. Binfield visit Tuffley Rovers in the league this Saturday and then Holyport in the Reading Senior Cup next Tuesday.

County Final For The Moles - 16 February

Binfield will meet local rivals Bracknell Town in the Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy final after a tremendous 6-3 win at Newport Pagnell on Saturday. “We were fantastic from start to finish,” beamed manager Roger Herridge (pictured left).

It was an outstanding performance, as the Moles were missing several players due to them being cup-tied or on holiday, and they were up against a side who next Saturday go up to South Shields in the quarter-finals of the FA Vase. “They were a very good team, so we are over the moon to have beaten them,” added Herridge talking to Dave Wright. Sean Moore gave Binfield an early boost by opening the scoring with just three minutes gone and Liam Ferdinand doubled the lead in stoppage time at the end of the first half.

“We were good value for our lead and it could easily have been more than two,” added Herridge. “They (Newport) made a spirited comeback in the second half, but we continued to play good attacking football, and got our rewards. To a man, the whole squad was brilliant. We were well organised, disciplined and clinical in front of goal. It was a great team performance and probably not right to single out particular players. But Jeff Brown did what I told and that was to head and kick everything, I told Jack Broome to be the best player on the park and he was, and Liam Ferdinand was unplayable and delivered the goods.”

Ferdinand was involved in almost every attack and finished up with two goals. He and Moore were joined on the scoresheet by Grant Kemp, James Knight and substitute Luke Hayden.

Herridge is now looking forward to facing Bracknell in the final. “We are already looking forward to it,” said Herridge. “We will undoubtedly go into the final as underdogs, but if we reach the levels we did on Saturday we will give ourselves a great chance.”

For Herridge, this will be his fourth cup final in the last two and a half years. “I now need to work out how win one when I get there!,” he concluded.​

Binfield meet Bracknell in an Uhlsport Hellenic League match at Hil Farm Lane on Monday evening.

Senior Trophy Semi-Final - 9 February

Binfield go to FA Vase quarter-finalists Newport Pagnell Town in the semi-finals of the Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy on Saturday. The winners will meet Bracknell Town in the final.

Binfield scored five goals for the second successive Saturday last weekend defeating Longlevens 5-0 at Hill Farm Lane. It was a more impressive performance than they had produced against Sandhurst with the pitch nowhere as near as heavy.

“Full credit to (groundsmen) Mick Baldrey and Bobby Ellis for getting the game on today,” said manager Roger Herridge after the match. “The pitch was always going to get cut up, but it stood up well.”

Room For Improvement - 2 February

Binfield manager Roger Herridge says there is still room for improvement in his side – despite seeing them slam Sandhurst Town 5-2 in the Bluefin Sport Hellenic League Cup on Saturday.

“We are still not as sharp as we were before Christmas,” he admitted. An exception was Liam Ferdinand, who scored four of the goals to add to one from Jon Bennett. Herridge, whose side had lost their previous two games by 3-0 margins, added: “There are parts of our game that need improving, We got a bit stretched at times and if we had been playing one of the top sides, we would probably have lost.

“But at the end of the game, we have won a cup tie and we are through to the quarter-finals .” The Moles could easily have doubled their tally against their Uhlsport Hellenic Division 1 East opponents after leading 3-0 at the interval.

Herridge said Ferdinand was “head and shoulders above everyone else on the pitch” while also praising defender Alex Walton. The manager was pleased, too, with the debut performance of Liam Whyte, who was signed from Flackwell Heath last week. The young midfielder was promoted to the starting line-up when Chris Dean was injured in the warm-up and he had a hand in Ferdinand's 18th-minute opener.
Three minutes later a move down the right was finished off by Bennett with a thumping header.

Bennett and James Knight helped to set up another goal for Ferdinand on the stroke of half-time. Miley Lee pulled one back for Sandhurst four minutes after half-time, but five minutes later Ferdinand completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot. Shortly afterwards, an Alex Walton own goal gave the visitors a second goal. Moles sub Jake White hit the post, as did Bennett, who also had another effort ruled out for offside. Ferdinand completed the scoring three minutes from time, taking his tally for the season to 27.

Binfield will be home to Brackley Town Saints in the next round. This Saturday, they host Longlevens in the league.

Thame Title Threat - 19 January

Binfield manager Roger Herridge believes Thame United are a real threat to Bracknell in the Uhlsport Hellenic League title race.

“I think they will push them all the way,” said Herridge after seeing his side lose 3-0 at the ASM Stadium on Saturday. For the Moles, it was their second successive defeat by that margin, but Herridge considered they played much better than they had at home to Ardley a week earlier.

“This was an improved performance, but Thame were simply better than us on the day,” admitted Herridge. “They scored their first two goals at good times - just before and after half-time - and their third came just when we were pushing to get back into the game.”

Lynton Goss scored all three goals, his second hat-trick in consecutive games, in the 38th, 48th and 59th minutes. That took his season's tally to 34, the highest total in the Premier Division.

Binfield's main threat in attack came from Sean Moore on his return from injury. “He was our stand-out performer and unlucky not to have got a goal,” commented Herridge. Substitute Chris Dean also did well when he was sent on with an hour gone, adding some extra pace and accuracy to his side's movements.

Binfield's boss revealed he is trying to bring in one or two new players in the next week or so. He continued: “There are only seven league games left, but we're still involved in three cup competitions, so it's important we don't let our season peter out.”

Binfield, who are eighth in the table, have another tough game this Saturday when they visit fourth-placed Thatcham.

No Excuses - 12 January

Binfield manager Roger Herridge offered no excuses after seeing his side lose 3-0 at home to Ardley United on Saturday. "We got what we deserved - absolutely nothing," he admitted.

Herridge gave a debut to new signing Jon Bennett, the much-travelled striker previously with Flackwell Heath and Thatcham, on a day when he saw his injury list grow even longer. "I am very pleased to have signed him," said Herridge. "He is an experienced striker and a proven scorer at this level."

With Sean Moore, Brad Pagliaroli, Ross Seldon, Luke Hayden and Chris Dean (ill) all missing, the Moles suffered further blows when Alex Walton and Jeff Brown were both hurt during the game. "We've got a few too many injuries for my liking at the moment," said Herridge. "It means I am giving opportunities to other players, but sadly some of them are struggling to make an impression at the moment."

The manager, however, was pleased with the way his side defended for much of the game. But they became unsettled after injuries to Walton just before the end of a goalless first half and centre-back Brown, who was his side's best player, early in the second half. Binfield suffered a further blow when Ardley took the lead just after the hour mark through Leam Howards. "That was a great finish but the other two goals were down to individual errors," commented Herridge.

In-form Ardley, who had won seven of their previous eight games, doubled their advantage through Nathaniel Lewars on 73 minutes and the same player scored again three minutes from time. Binfield's best scoring chances fell to Grant Kemp and substitute Bennett, but they could not find a way past keeper Nick Bennion.

"Going forward we lacked pace and a bit of quality," summed up Herridge. "We were simply beaten by the much better side on the day. We were missing too many players, who would have made a difference to us if they had been out there. But we will put this game behind us and move on as we are going into some very tough games."

Binfield, who are eighth in the Uhlsport Hellenic League table, visit third-placed Thame United this Saturday and a week later go to Thatcham, who currently occupy fourth spot.

Moles Team & Ground News - 5 January

Binfield manager Roger Herridge is hoping leading scorer Liam Ferdinand will be fit for their Uhlsport Hellenic League fixture with Ardley United at Hill Farm Lane on Saturday.

The 23-goal marksman has missed the last two matches with a slight hamstring injury, Despite his absence, the Moles defeated Ascot United 1-0 at home before winning 2-1 at Brackley Town Saints on Saturday. Herridge said: “Before the holiday period, we had targeted six points from these two games, so we are delighted to have got them, especially as we were forced to put out depleted sides, particularly at Brackley.”

With Ferdinand's replacement Matt Jones being injured against Ascot, Herridge found himself very short of forwards last weekend. But centre-back Lewis Leonetti accepted the manager's request to join youngster Luke Hayden up front even though he was less than 100-per-cent fit, and he scored with a superb effort from 25 yards for the Moles's second goal in the first half, 15 minutes after Michael Walton had opened their account. Saints pulled a goal back on the hour mark, but Binfield held on for a deserved win that leaves them seventh in the table.

Herridge believes his side – who were top for a time earlier in the season - can improve on that placing. “We've had some good results against teams above us, we've beaten Flackwell, Thatcham and Thame, and unlucky not to have got a point at Bracknell, so it shows what our side is capable of achieving,” he said. “But we need to show more consistency, as we have also lost to teams at the wrong end of the table."

In addition to Ferdinand, Herridge is also hoping that Jones, Ross Seldon and Sean Moore will all be fit to face Ardley. He continued: “If they are all fit, then I am going to have a selection problem, although I prefer to have one like that than the one I had last week when trying to put a team together when so many were missing.”

The Moles will also be on a revenge mission against improving Ardley, as they have lost to them twice this season, 3-1 in the league and 4-2 in the Perpetua Press Floodlit Cup.

Spectators going to the game with Ardley on Saturday will see changes at the ground, as in the past week, the covered stand behind the goal has been demolished. This is to clear the way for the contractors when they move in next week to build the new changing rooms block. Other improvements include laying a hard surface in the car park. The club have acquired a six-figure sum for the cost of the work from the Football Foundation, Binfield Parish Council and Bracknell Forest Council.

Chairman Bob Bacon commented: “January 9th 2017 becomes a significant date in the club, as we start the ground work. The plan is to see the new changing room complex and the subsequent redevelopment of the current clubhouse be done in five months, which will require a lot of effort, patience and skill to get us there. This is going to be exciting, as will have a ground that is showing progress and intent.”

Lucky Win - 29 December

Even Binfield manager Roger Herridge admitted his side were lucky to beat Ascot United 1-0 on Tuesday.

The Moles snatched all three points thanks to a Luke Hayden goal three minutes before the end. But Herridge conceded: “To be honest, I felt sorry for them (Ascot). I thought they were the better side.”

A Game Of Two Halves - 16 December

Going two goals down in the first half and scoring five themselves in the second, suggests Binfield only turned it on for 45 minutes in their 5-3 win at Longlevens on Saturday.

But that was a long way from the truth, as the Moles virtually created just as many chances in the opening period as they did in the second. They were, however, denied by three goal-line clearances and the post, while several shots flew just wide or over the target. Binfield were also wasteful in front of goal and so went in at half-time trailing 2-0. with both goals coming from set pieces.

After the game, manager Roger Herridge told the Press: "On paper, it looked a game of two halves. Conditions were terrible, the whole game was played in torrential downpour In the first half, we went 2-0 down and we were disappointed with the goals we conceded, both came from free kicks. They did put in good quality balls, but we didn't track the runners We were also a little bit wasteful in front of goal. Knighty, Ferdy and Sean Moore all missed good chances and the Longlevens keeper also made some great saves from point-blank range We came in a 2-0 down and we thought it was going to be a tough ask in the second half, but we were top drawer. We worked hard, but you couldn't play too much football on the pitch because every minute it was getting wetter and wetter. Coming out for the second half I started to wonder that if the rain keeps on the game would be abandoned. We got back level, but then got caught by a sucker punch when they came down our end down their right-hand side. AJ (Alex Luis) was adamant that the ball went about two feet out of play, so he stopped, but their fella continued and pulled the ball back and they scored from it. So despite all our hard work we were behind again and so had to do it all over again, but in the end, we just had that extra bit of quality. It was an end to end game and not an easy one for a defender, but in the second half we defended far better than they did."

Looking ahead to this Saturday's home encounter with Highworth, Herridge commented: "Hopefully, we will put on a better show than when we played at their place a few weeks ago. We were a shadow of the side we are at the moment. It would be nice to get revenge and also do our local rivals (Bracknell) another favour. Highworth are an experienced side and are very good going forward. I still think they will be up there with the likes of Bracknell and Thatcham at the end of the season. We will certainly have to keep up our current form to get a result."

Goalkeeper Garry Aulsberry, who recently lost his first-team place, has joined Henley Town with Binfield waiving the seven-day approach. "We wish him all the best," said Herridge.

Bitterly Disappointed - 8 December

Binfield manager Roger Herridge was left bitterly disappointed after Tuesday nights game at Bracknell, saying: “It is never nice to lose so late on in the game.”

He added: “We showed great character to come from behind twice. Bracknell were the better side in the first half, but we worked really hard in the second and we matched a very good side. I felt the penalty was harsh and I felt we should have stopped Kensley from scoring.

“I felt we deserved something out of the game, so we are disappointed to come out with nothing.”

Seventh-placed Binfield travel to mid-table Longlevens on Saturday.

Plenty Of Heart With The Basics - 1 December

Binfield manager Roger Herridge believes his side's return to form is due to the players showing plenty of heart whilst also benefitting by going back to basics.

The Moles led the Uhlsport Hellenic League table earlier in the season, but then went eight games without winning, sending them sliding down to mid-table. However, they are now on the way up following two outstanding performances.They won 3-0 at Flackwell Heath last Saturday thanks to a hat-trick from 17-year-old substitute Luke Hayden and then defeated Thame United 3-1 on Monday with goals from Brad Pagliaroli, Liam Ferdinand and another from Hayden.

"People will look at these two results, and thinking 'where have Binfield been for the past six weeks?' Herridge said to Dave Wright: "I am not even sure why myself. But I can say that I've got players who want to be at this club, they are not looking to go elsewhere and they have the club at heart."

He added: "We met four or five key players last week as we thought they must be struggling as much as we were to turn things around. We sat down and had a good chat and I think we are now all singing off the same hymn sheet. We spoke about the shape and all the rest of it. We've gone back to basics, playing 4-4-2, as all the players know their roles and responsibilities and this has certainly shown in these last two matches. We have had two fantastic results, so all credit to the players. These wins over two very good sides have certainly helped to restore confidence and we are now looking to go upwards and forwards."

Herridge has revealed he completed the signing of Lewis Leonetti this week – from a seat at Manchester United.
With Jeff Brown injured in the game Flackwell Herridge urgently needed to find another centre-back in time for Monday's game
He went for the experienced Leonetti, one of his former players now with Fleet Town in the Southern League, signing him on a dual registration. But Herridge also had to secure his Hellenic League registration from Thatcham, whom the defender had joined earlier in the season.

“I spoke to Danny Robinson (Thatcham manager) while sitting at Old Trafford watching Manchester United play West Ham last Sunday and so my thanks to him,” said Herridge, who put Leonetti straight in the team that defeated Thame 3-1. As Fleet will have the first option on the player, the Binfield manager was this week looking to sign another centre-back.

The Moles' substitutes on Monday included Chris Dean, who has rejoined the club from Finchampstead, but young defender George Lock has decided to end his loan spell at Hill Farm Lane to return to Bracknell.
A disappointed Herridge admitted: “He did really well in his short time with us and it was a bit of a surprise when he told me he feels his heart isn't in it here.”

Binfield are away to Brimscombe & Thrupp this Saturday and then next Tuesday they have the big local derby away to fourth-placed Bracknell, another side bang in form. “Bracknell are flying at the moment,” commented Herridge, whose side have defeated the second and third placed teams in the past week. “Hopefully our wins against Flackwell and Thame might encourage more people through the gate – they probably could do with the money!”

Injury Tally - 24 November

Binfield were plagued by injuries during their 4-0 defeat at Highworth on Saturday 19 November.

George Lock was forced off after 30 minutes, while Jake White and James Suarez had to be replaced at half-time. Sean Moore was also injured but had to play through the pain barrier, while new goalkeeper Mo Nyamunga was left struggling with a groin problem in the second half.

The Moles, who trailed 2-0 at half-time, enjoyed a much better second half, having more of the play and creating a number of scoring chances. James Knight fired just past the post, sub Luke Hayden blasted one high over the bar and Liam Ferdinand forced keeper Kent Kauppinen into making a fine save.

Manager Roger Herridge commented: “To concede two goals in the second half was harsh on us. Knight and Ferdy were outstanding, while the subs (Hayden, Matt Jones and Brad Pagliaroli) all made a difference.” He said: “Things are not going our way at the moment, but I feel we are not far away from being a good side. We probably need two or three new players to improve the squad. At the moment, collectively, we all need to stick together, work harder and I am sure we will turn thing around.”

Binfield, in 11th place, are away to third-placed Flackwell Heath this Saturday before meeting Thame, currently second, at home on Monday evening.

Career Advancement? - 17 November

James Suarez has rejoined Binfield from neighbours Bracknell Town at a time when he is looking to further his career in football.

The 30-year-old midfielder made his return for the Moles in their 1-1 draw with Oxford City Nomads at Hill Farm Lane on Saturday – and that was his 236th appearance for the club. “It's good to have him back as he will provide our young side with some valuable experience,” said manager Roger Herridge. “James is also keen to get involved in the coaching and management side of the game and that will be something we will be discussing over the next few months.”

Herridge also gave debuts to two new players on Saturday - goalkeeper Munoda Mo Nyamunga and forward Brad Pagliaroli. Nyamunga joins from Sydenhams Wessex League Division 1 side Alton. He is not a complete a stranger to the Moles, as he guested for them in a pre-season friendly at Alton when Binfield had no keeper available. His arrival at Hill Farm Lane will put a question mark over the future of Garry Aulsbery, who had been a regular up until last week. Herridge has become increasingly concerned over the way his side have been “gifting the opposition goals from individual errors.”

Pagliaroli (previously with the surname of Ward) is the former Newbury and Hungerford player who more recently has been playing for Kintbury Rangers. He came off the bench to replace Matt Jones for the last 30 minutes and was involved in their 75th-minute goal.

On the game Herridge admitted: "A draw was probably the fairest result on the balance of play. But it was disappointing to go one nil up and concede the goal we did because it was just one ball down the middle.”

He added: “We worked hard, but in the first half we didn't play with the same intensity, drive and energy like we had against Windsor earlier in the month. In the second half, we improved and it became quite an open game. We have a really hard month coming up, so could have done with all three points today, but looking on the positive side, we are now unbeaten in three games.”

Binfield, who moved up a place to eighth with this point, travel to fourth club, Highworth, this Saturday.

County Semi-Final For Moles - 10 November

Binfield powered their way into the semi-finals of the Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy with a devastating first-half display against Windsor on Monday.

The Moles roared into a four-goal lead and, such was their domination, they could quite easily have doubled it before half-time. But they ended up winning only by a 4-2 margin after the visitors had scored two late goals and also gone close on two other occasions.

Manager Roger Herridge had watched Windsor on Saturday, only to face a much different looking side two days later. He explained to Dave Wright: “The two who played up front were at centre-back tonight and the centre half was playing in the centre of midfield. So they did not play quite as I thought they would, but I was still pleased what we did learn on Saturday.”

Binfield's semi-final tie at Newport Pagnell Town will be played in January. Having seen James Charlton leave for Wokingham & Emmbrook, Herridge has signed Jeff Brown (pictured), an experienced utility player previously with Flackwell Heath, Burnham and Windsor.

Binfield have also received a seven-day approach from Highmoor Ibis for midfielder Jamie Connor, who is currently on the injured list. Moles, now down to 10th in the table, host third-bottom Oxford City Nomads on Saturday.

Moles Look To Re-Kindle Form - 27 October

Former leaders Binfield have slipped down to eighth in the Premier Division standings after a poor run that has seen them collect only one point in their last eight games.

Defeat number seven came on Tuesday when they went down 3-1 at Ardley United. The Moles, beaten 4-2 in the Perpetua Press Hellenic Floodlit Cup at the same ground two weeks earlier. started brightly and deservedly took a 20th-minute lead through Liam Ferdinand, his 14th goal of the season. They missed two chances to increase their lead before giving away a soft penalty which enabled Jacob Walcott to level things up for the hosts. After 31 minutes Binfield gave the ball away and were punished by a goal from Dan Meade. Then just before half-time, the defence failed to deal with a cross into their six-yard area and Troy Bryan headed home from two yards. So Binfield found themselves 3-1 adrift despite creating as many scoring opportunities as Ardley. Ferdinand was not far away from scoring again in the second half with chances also falling to Matt Jones and Grant Kemp.

Roger Herridge's side are home to Oxford City Nomads on Saturday in the second round of the Bluefin Sport Hellenic League Cup.

Binfield's Biggest Win - 16 August

Binfield FC have secured significant grants to enhance the clubhouse and facilities at Hill Farm Lane....

Following an extensive application process, Binfield FC have been awarded significant grants totalling over £315,000, to improve the facilities at Hill Farm Lane, including new changing rooms, a physio room, extensive refurbishment to the clubhouse, which includes disability access arrangements to the clubhouse and pitch areas - even the PA system.

From a process that started with a strong relationship with Binfield Parish Council, who’ve provided £17,000 and with great support from Bracknell Forest Borough Council, who have exntended the Hill Farm Lane lease and granted £45,000, the club set out to apply for additional funding assistance from footballing and sports bodies to improve facilities for all sections of the club and for the local community to enjoy.

Now, in its 125th anniversary season, Binfield FC can announce massive support from the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund and the Football Stadia Improvement Fund to add to the great support we have received from our local authorities and some generous donations from our club members and sponsors.

Grassroots sport in Berkshire is set to benefit from a major cash injection following the news that Binfield FC have been awarded a grant of £185,627 from the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund. The Premier League through the Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF), the largest funder of non league football in the country, has also awarded a £68,374 grant.

Funded by the Premier League, The FA, and the Government, via Sport England, the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund is delivered by the Football Foundation, the country’s largest sports charity. Since it was launched in 2000, the Foundation has supported more than 14,000 grassroots projects worth over £1.3 billion.

The grant will enable the club to improve its existing changing room facilities to comprise: refurbished players and officials’ changing rooms, and a dedicated physio room for players, which will also be available to the local community. Disability access to its clubhouse and surrounding pitches will also be modernised, with a new public address system installed.

By providing more high-quality facilities, coupled with coaching at the appropriate age group, the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund aims to improve the experience for regular players as well as attracting new players to the game. Many of the new state-of-the-art facilities will serve to strengthen the connection between professional football clubs and their local communities, particularly in the most deprived areas of the country, through the professional clubs’ community trusts’ outreach work.

Funded with £5.2m each year from the Premier League, the FSIF is the country’s largest provider of grants towards projects that help improve the comfort and safety of lower league football grounds in both the professional and amateur game. These improvements range from new football stands and turnstiles to floodlighting and improved provision for disabled supporters.

Andy Cotton, Binfield FC Club Vice-Chairman said: “This project will transform the facilities here at Binfield Football Club, enabling us to better serve our playing & social members, supporters and visitors in the future. Binfield FC is a true ‘not for profit’ community football club whose core ambition is to provide first class football facilities for all - this exciting project will enable us to continue building a better football club which the community can be proud of. Thanks must go to the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund and the Football Stadia Improvement Fund for their investment.”

Paul Thorogood, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “Congratulations should go to Binfield Football Club for working with the Berks & Bucks County FA to secure this Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund grant.